Published Friday, July 18, 2008
Newnan High's grad Thompson performs at international festival
Recent Newnan High School graduate Corey Thompson was one of 48 students from across the country who performed at the first high school production of Hairspray June 24 at the annual International Thespian Festival.
The event was held in Lincoln, Neb.
Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, the Tony and Grammy-Award winning creators of Hairspray, congratulated Thompson, for his performance of the role of Edna Turnblad in the International Thespian premiere of the production, presented by Music Theatre International (MTI) and the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA).
"Scott and I were incredibly moved by the performances of the cast in EdTA's world premiere high school production of Hairspray," said Shaiman. "The caliber of talent was simply amazing, and any of these kids could easily be auditioning for and getting roles on Broadway within the next few years. We hope many of them even end up in Hairspray on Broadway. With their talent and heart, they will fit right in," he added.
The cast and crew are all members of the International Thespian Society, EdTA's honorary organization for middle and secondary school theatre arts students. MTI and EdTA conducted a national casting search for outstanding members at EdTA regional and chapter events around the country in the Spring of 2007. Callbacks were held at the 2007 Thespian Festival on the campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
The students gathered for three intensive rehearsal periods in the Spring and Summer of 2008 (March 27-30; May 15-18, and June 12-22) at the University of Northern Colorado, and presented the show to thousands of teachers, students and theatre leaders during two festival performances.
With a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman, and lyrics by Scott Wittman, Hairspray is based on the 1988 New Line Cinema film by John Waters. The "bouffant" Broadway production has been running since 2002 and won eight Tony awards. Last year, New Line Cinema released a film adaptation of the stage version, starring John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, and Queen Latifah, which has grossed more than $140,000,000 worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo.
Hairspray captures the spirit and turmoil of 1962 Baltimore. The story follows Tracy Turnblad, a full-figured girl with "full-figured" hair and a big heart who has only one passion - to dance. When her determination and rock 'n roll moves land her a spot on a local television dance program, "The Corny Collins Show," she is transformed from an outsider to an irrepressible teen celebrity. This trendsetter in dance and fashion uses her fame to win the heart of heartthrob Link Larkin, challenge the program's reigning princess, and rally against racial segregation... all without denting her 'do.
Thompson is a 2008 graduate of Newnan High, and was voted Best Singing Voice and Most Likely to be Famous.